The Competition and Markets Authority plans to probe Microsoft’s business
software unit and assess granting it “strategic market status,” amid concerns it
could hinder AI-era competition. Rivals like Amazon Web Services and Google
Cloud allege higher costs running Microsoft software off Azure. The CMA also
flagged risks from Windows and Office dominance. While no new cloud rules were
imposed, Microsoft and AWS pledged easier switching. The CMA will review
progress in six months; Microsoft said it will cooperate.
